NCJ Number
183392
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 44 Issue: 2 Dated: March 1999 Pages: 334-338
Date Published
March 1999
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This study examines reports of fatalities due to dextropropoxyphene in Sweden.
Abstract
Among prescribed drugs in Sweden, dextropropoxyphene (DXP) is the medical compound most frequently responsible for self-inflicted fatal poisonings. In order to analyze the process leading to the classification of the manner of death in cases in which DXP caused or contributed to death, a set of explicit and implicit operational criteria was applied retrospectively to fatal DXP poisonings among autopsies performed at one department of forensic medicine in Sweden during the period 1992 to 1997. Classification of the manner of death at DXP fatalities was often based on very limited grounds when the operational criteria were used as a standard for comparison. Information from relatives, friends, and others concerning the decedent was rarely accessible. The shortage of information probably led to deficiencies in the statistics concerning DXP fatalities. Considerable underreporting of accidents and probable overreporting of suicides were found. In order to guarantee valid death statistics concerning self-inflicted poisoning, the information base must be enlarged to include new routines and interviews of relatives, acquaintances and significant others regarding indications of a decedent’s intention to die. The article also recommends application of the explicit and implicit criteria used in this study to facilitate the classification process. Tables, figure, references